Alstom pays tribute to its former leader, Jean-Pierre Desgeorges

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Patrick Kron, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alstom, has paid tribute to Jean-Pierre Desgeorges, who chaired the company between 1981 and 1991. Mr. Desgeorges died in La Baule on 30 December, 2010.

"Jean-Pierre Desgeorges managed the company during one of the key moments in its history. He designed and achieved the Franco-British association between Alstom and GEC which turned the Group into a major multinational company " underlined Patrick Kron. It was at the instigation of Jean-Pierre Desgeorges that the Group strengthened at the same time its European footprint (the first export of the TGV, with the Spanish AVE) and its presence in emerging countries, such as China (the first nuclear power plant with the Daya Bay project) or Brazil (purchase of the Taubaté plant from Schneider and extensive development in the hydro power market).

Born in 1930 and a graduate of the Polytechnique prestigious engineering school, Jean-Pierre Desgeorges joined the Group - then named ‘Alsthom’ - from 1962, with particular responsibilities in the areas of rotating machines and maintenance. He became Chief Executive Officer of the power plants division of Alsthom-Atlantique in 1976. Having been Deputy Chief Executive Officer ( 1979 ), then Chief Executive Officer ( 1980 ) there, in 1981 he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alsthom, which then became GEC Alsthom in 1989.

After heading up Alsthom, Jean-Pierre Desgeorges worked in the banking sector and remained very active in professional organisations, particularly in the power and electronic industries federations. He was a member of the executive committee of the CNPF (National Council of French Employers) and Vice-president of its international section between 1992-1999, as well as President of the France-China Committee.

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